PEORIA, Ariz.  Team USA has contacted Chase Headley about the possibility of the Padres third baseman playing in the World Baseball Classic finals if the U.S. qualifies.

To land a berth in the final four of the WBC, Team USA must defeat Puerto Rico Friday night in Miami. Headley could be a replacement for New York Mets third baseman David Wright, who is expected to miss the championship round in San Francisco due to an injury.

“Team USA reached out to see if I was interested,” said Headley. “I am. It’s always been a dream of mine to play for Team USA. Obviously, I hate to see someone get hurt.”

Headley was put on notice through an e-mail from Tony Clark of the Major League Players Association.

Under WBC rules, teams cannot replace injured players (other than a catcher) during the middle of a round. Headley’s only way to play in the WBC is for Team USA to advance to the finals by beating Puerto Rico and then being added to the American squad as an injury replacement.

Headley is on the provisional Team USA roster.

“I’m pulling pretty hard for Team USA to win today,” said Headley, who would join reliever Padres reliever Luke Gregerson on Team USA’’s roster for the championship round.